Master of Business Administration-MBA

Soar with an MBA from Southern Miss

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Southern Miss is a flexible, AACSB-accredited program that helps you take the next step in your career with confidence. Designed for students from every academic background, our program offers a customizable format that fits your goals and schedule.

Customize your MBA with a schedule that works for you

• Full-time students can finish in one calendar year, while part-time students can complete the program in as few as five semesters.
• You can choose to take classes fully online or in person on the Hattiesburg campus.
• Our structure combines 15 hours of core business courses with 15 hours of specialized electives, allowing you to personalize your MBA experience. Tailor your studies through focus areas such as Public Health, Supply Chain Management, Communications and Public Relations, Economic Development, and Sport Security Management, among others. This unique format helps you build a strong business foundation while advancing in the field you care about most.

Southern Miss also offers a one-of-a-kind Ocean Enterprise Engineering Pathway. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering can stay for a fifth year to earn an MBA, gaining technical expertise and business leadership skills that stand out in today’s workforce.

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Ranked Among the Best in the Nation

*Ranked #1 in Mississippi

Why an MBA from Southern Miss?

The MBA is the most in-demand graduate degree in the world — and at Southern Miss, it’s built for professionals who are ready to lead.

Our flexible program combines a strong business foundation with the ability to customize your path. You’ll complete 15 hours of core coursework in strategy, finance, accounting, organizational behavior and leadership, and marketing — then choose 15 hours of electives that align with your career goals and interests.

Through rigorous coursework and applied learning, you’ll develop the skills employers value most:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Data-driven decision-making
• Financial and operational analysis
• Leadership and team management
• Professional communication and influence

Our students come from diverse backgrounds — business, engineering, healthcare, education, science, and more — creating a dynamic learning environment that reflects today’s interdisciplinary workplace.

Whether you're advancing in your current field or pivoting to a new one, the Southern Miss MBA provides the flexibility, credibility, and real-world expertise to help you stand out and move To The Top.

Build your foundation. Customize your path. Lead with confidence.

 

Prerequisite and Application Requirements

We want applicants to present the strongest possible MBA application package. To support this, the MBA Admissions Committee uses a holistic review process that considers all submitted materials. While the GMAT or GRE is not required, submitting scores can strengthen your application and increase eligibility for scholarships. For more information regarding scholarships and financial aid, explore funding resources provided by the USM Graduate School. 

If you're coming from a non-business background or simply want to refresh your business knowledge ahead of your MBA journey, explore Kaplan's GMAC Business Fundamentals Courses. These expert-led, pre-MBA business school courses equip you with the critical knowledge you need for success in a graduate business program.

In addition to adhering to the Admission Requirements and Procedures, the program applicant must provide the following:

Prerequisite 

Completion of ACC 200-Introduction to Financial Accounting (or the equivalent) with a grade of B or better 

Application Materials

1. Online application
2. Resumé
3. Statement of Purpose
4. Cover letter addressed to the Graduate Programs Admissions Committee
5. Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources (no personal references will be accepted)
6. Minimum 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
7. Optional: GMAT/GRE score report

Application Deadlines

Graduate Admissions and International Admissions set the final application deadlines for each semester. The MBA Admission Committee recommends submitting your application as early as possible to meet the deadlines for priority admission, enrollment, and to be eligible for Graduate Assistantships.

If you have further questions regarding these programs, please email MBAFREEMississippi.

 

MBA: Salary and Job Outlook

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